WO2005114344A1

WO2005114344A1 - Engineering tool, engineering tool start program selection method, and new program addition method

Info

Publication number: WO2005114344A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/005712
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dai Fukuda
Original assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
Priority date: 2004-05-20
Filing date: 2005-03-28
Publication date: 2005-12-01
Also published as: TW200600988A; JPWO2005114344A1

Abstract

There is provided an engineering tool capable of automatically deciding a connectable engineering tool program corresponding to a control device, easily selecting a program, and easily adding a program for a new type of control device. The engineering tool includes: a communication method selection unit (6) having a plurality of communication methods; a connected device search unit (7) for acquiring the type information on the control device from the connected communication method; a program existence information file (11) for storing program existence information; a corresponding program decision unit (10) for deciding a program corresponding to the control device from the existence information; a connected device list creation unit (9) for creating a list of connected devices according to the type information; and a connected device selection unit (8) for selecting and starting an engineering tool program corresponding to the control device selected from the connected device list by a worker.

Description

Specification

How to select the engineering tool and the startup program of the engineering tool and how to add a new program

Technical field

[0001] The present invention resides in a computer connected to a plurality of control devices such as servos and inverters via communication lines, and includes an engineering tool having an engineering function for changing constants of the control devices and monitoring operation. It relates to the method of selecting the startup program of the engineering tool and the method of adding a new program.

Background art

[0002] A control system composed of a plurality of control devices such as servos and inverters and a motor is provided with engineering functions such as setting and changing parameters and constants of the control device, and monitoring and adjusting the operation of the control device. Power of using engineering tools This engineering tool consists of software installed on a personal computer. A personal computer with an engineering tool and multiple control devices are connected by a communication line.When using an engineering tool, the target control device and a software program with an engineering function for the control device are used. By selecting and starting the program, the program connects to the control device and exchanges data, and can perform functions such as setting the constants of the control device and monitoring the operation. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

[0003] The engineering tool and the control device communicate with each other through communication. At this time, the control device is identified by information called an axis number. For each control device, a unique axis number such as 1 for the X-axis and 2 for the Y-axis is set in advance using parameters. The engineering tool adds this axis number information to the communication command and sends it. The controller does not respond to commands other than its own axis number.

In addition, communication methods such as communication speed and commands may differ depending on the control device, and the engineering tool has multiple software that can cope with different communication methods in order to support multiple control devices. We are preparing a program. In detail, communication Even if the method is the same, the constants to be set and the type of monitor may differ depending on the model of the control device. Therefore, in addition to the communication method, both the control device side and the program side have model information in addition to the communication method. Also, when a control system is composed of multiple control units, there may be multiple identical models (for example, a machine that configures the X-axis and Y-axis with two identical servos). In such a case, the determination is made based on the axis number described above.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram in which a conventional engineering tool and a control device are combined. The engineering tool 2 is built in the personal computer 1, and the personal computer 1 is connected to the first control device 12, the second control device 13, and the n-th control device 14 by a communication line 18. The first control device 12 has a first axis number 12a, a first communication method 12b, and first model information 12c as information unique to the control device. Similarly, the second control device 13 and the n-th control device 14 have information unique to the control device as shown in FIG.

The engineering tool 2 is provided with a first program 3, a second program 4, and an n-th program 5, which are software having an engineering function corresponding to the communication method and model information for each control device that is assumed. Each program has a connection information file, which contains the communication method and model information supported by this program. In this example, the first program 3 has the first communication method 3b and the first model information 3c. The operator selects a program corresponding to the target control device from these programs, and manually selects the control device and the program using a keyboard and a screen (not shown) provided in the computer. By starting the ram, it connects to the target control device and starts communication.

As described above, in the conventional engineering tool, a plurality of programs corresponding to the communication method and model information for each control device are prepared, the operator determines a connectable program corresponding to the control device, and starts the program manually. Then

When a program for a new model control device is added to an engineering tool, an existing program in engineering tool 2 is modified and replaced so that it can be connected to the new model, or a program for a new model is newly added. It was created and managed as a separate program.

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2003-202928 (3 pages, Fig. 1)

Disclosure of the invention Problems the invention is trying to solve

[0006] In the conventional method of selecting an engineering tool, a program for starting an engineering tool, and a method for adding a new program, when an operator starts a program, it is necessary to know a program that can be connected to each control device. There was a problem. Another problem is that if an operator starts an incorrect program, the started program cannot be connected to the control device. Also, when adding a program for a new model of control device, if you modify the program itself, you will need to modify the existing program, which may reduce the reliability.If you want to create a new program, The problem was that the number of types of programs increased, the time required for management increased, and the possibility of erroneous selection increased.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and automatically determines a program of a connectable engineering tool corresponding to a control device, and can easily select a program without mistake. When adding a program for a new model control device

It is an object of the present invention to provide an engineering tool that can be easily added without changing existing software, a method of selecting a starting program of the engineering tool, and a method of adding a new program.

Means for solving the problem

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, an engineering tool of the present invention is provided in a personal computer connected to one or more control devices via a communication line, and the engineering tool corresponding to a communication method unique to each control device. A plurality of programs having engineering functions such as setting of constants of a control device and monitoring of operation are provided, and a plurality of programs are provided. In an engineering tool for performing an engineering function, in order to obtain a communication method of the control device, a communication method selection unit including a plurality of communication methods for attempting connection with the control device, and a communication method selected from the communication method selection unit. A connection device search unit that attempts to connect to the control device and obtains model information of the control device by the connected communication method; Serial Purodara beam program name, a path name indicating a location of the file, the corresponding communication method, a program presence information for storing information of the location of the connection information file model information is stored Information file, a corresponding program determination unit that extracts information of the program presence information file and determines a program corresponding to the connected control device, and connects the engineering tool to a worker based on the acquired model information. A connected device list creation unit that creates a connected device list for selecting a control device, and a connected device selection that selects and starts a program of the engineering tool corresponding to the control device selected by an operator from the display of the connected device list. It is characterized by having a part.

Further, the method of selecting a start program of an engineering tool according to the present invention is provided in a personal computer connected to one or more control devices via a communication line, and a constant of the control device corresponding to a communication method unique to each control device. A plurality of programs having an engineering function such as setting and operation monitoring are provided, and the plurality of programs are designed to execute the engineering function by selecting and starting a program that can be started by the communication method of the one control device. According to the method of selecting a tool start program, a step of making a connection request to the one control device by the one communication method, a step of determining whether connection is possible, and a step of determining whether the connection is possible, Acquiring information, a program name of the program, a path name indicating a location of a file, A step of acquiring the presence information of the program, which stores information on the location of the connection information file, in which the corresponding communication method and model information are stored; and the communication method and model information of the control device. Determining the corresponding program by comparing the obtained program presence information file with the communication information and model information of each acquired program, and registering the information in the connected device list and storing the corresponding program. Repeating the determination of whether connection is possible with all of the control devices connected by the communication line; and repeating the determination of whether connection is possible with all of the prepared communication methods. Selecting and activating the program of the engineering tool corresponding to the control device selected by the operator It is characterized by.

Further, the method of adding a new program according to the present invention resides in a personal computer connected to one or more control devices via a communication line, and includes a constant of the control device corresponding to a communication method unique to each control device. Equipped with multiple programs that have engineering functions such as setting and operation monitoring, and can be started by the communication method of the one control device. In the method of adding a new program corresponding to a new model control device to an engineering tool for performing the engineering function by selecting and starting a new program, the new program is added to an application area. And the location information of the connection information file storing the program name of the new program, the path name indicating the location of the file, the corresponding communication method, and the model information. Writing the information in a program presence information file for storing the above information.

The invention's effect

According to the present invention, a program of a connectable engineering tool corresponding to a control device is automatically determined, a program can be easily selected without fail, and a program for a new type of control device can be prepared. When adding, it is possible to provide a method for selecting an engineering tool, a program for starting an engineering tool, and a method for adding a new program, which can be easily added without changing existing software.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0010] [FIG. 1] A block diagram in which the engineering tool and the control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention are combined. [FIG. 2] An example of a list of connected devices according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating program existence information according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating selection of an engineering tool program corresponding to the control device of the present invention.

[Fig. 5] Flowchart of method for selecting starting program of engineering tool according to the present invention [Fig. 6] Block diagram combining engine tool and control device of embodiment 2 of the present invention [Fig. 7] Method for adding program of engineering tool according to the present invention Flowchart

[Figure 8] Block diagram combining conventional engineering tools and control devices

Explanation of symbols

[0011] 1 personal computer

2 Engineering tool

3 First program

3a, 4a, 5a, 19a Connection information file 3b, 6a, 12b 1st communication method

3c, 12c 1st model information

4 Second program

4b, 6b, 13b 2nd communication method

4c, 13c 2nd model information

5 nth program

5b, 6c, 14b nth communication method

5c, 14c nth model information

6 Communication method selection section

7 Connected device search section

8 Connection device selection section

9 Connected device list creation unit

10 Corresponding program decision section

11 Program existence information file

12 First control unit

12a 1st axis number

13 Second control unit

13a 2nd axis number

14 nth control unit

14a nth axis number

15, 16, 17, 21 motor

18 Communication line

19 Program A

19b, 20b Communication method A

19c, 20c Model A information

20 Controller A

20a Axis A number

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, specific examples of the method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Example 1

[0013] As Embodiment 1 of the present invention, a detailed description will be given of selecting an engineering tool program.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram in which an engineering tool and a control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention are combined. In the figure, the personal computer 1, the engineering tool 2, the first program 3, the second program 4, the n-th program 5, the first control device 12, the second control device 13, and the n-th control device 14 are the same as those in FIG. Therefore, the description is omitted. The difference between the present invention and the conventional one is that the communication method selection unit 6, the connection device search unit 7, the connection device selection unit 8, the connection device list creation unit 9, the corresponding program determination unit 10, the program existence information file It is a point with 11. When the operator starts the engineering tool 2 using the keyboard and the screen of the personal computer 1, the connection device search unit 7 of the engineering tool 2 is in the communication method selection unit 6 for the control device connected by the communication line 18. Attempt to connect using multiple communication methods. If the connection can be established, model information is acquired from the control device. The corresponding program determination unit 10 obtains the communication method and model information of the connection information file of each program from the program existence information file 11, compares the communication method and model information of the control device with the communication method and model information of the control device, and sends a match to the controller. Determine as the corresponding program. The connected device list creator 9 registers the model information of the connected control device in the connected device list and stores a corresponding program.

FIG. 2 is a display example of a list of connected devices displayed on a screen of a personal computer. Model information is displayed for the axis number. The operator selects the control device to which the engineering tool is to be connected using the keyboard of the personal computer while viewing the list display. Then, the connection device selection unit 8 selects and starts a program of the engineering tool corresponding to the control device selected by the operator by the connection device selection unit, thereby connecting to the target control device and setting the constant of the control device. The function of monitoring changes and operations can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the program presence information file 11. The program presence information file 11 is a storage medium that stores presence information of each of the first to third programs 3 to 5. Here, the presence information is specifically, for one program, a program name, a path name indicating the location of a file, a communication method corresponding to the program, This is the location of the connection information file that stores the model information.

The program presence information file 11 is accessed from the corresponding program determining unit 10 and a program corresponding to the control device is determined.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining selection of a program of an engineering tool corresponding to the control device. Axis number 1 has the communication method "method A" and model information "servo 1", and indicates that the corresponding engineering tool program is "first program". Similarly, axis numbers 2, 3, and n have information on servo 2, servo 1, and inverter 1, respectively, and corresponding program information. Here, the servo 1 of axis number 1 and the inverter 1 of axis number n are examples in which the communication method and model information are different, and the corresponding programs are different from the first program and the third program, respectively. Also, although the communication method is the same for Servo 1 for axis number 1 and Servo 2 for axis number 2, the model information is different, and the corresponding program is selected by the communication method and model information. The corresponding program for axis number 2 is the second program, which is different from axis number 1. Also, servo 1 of axis number 1 and servo 1 of axis number 3 are the same example in both the communication method and model information. In this case, the corresponding program is the same first program, and the first program is connected to the control device selected by the operator in the list display capability of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for selecting a startup program of an engineering tool according to the present invention. Step S401 and step S405 and step S410 and step S412 are executed by the connected device search unit 7, step S406 and step S407 are executed by the corresponding program determination unit 10, and step S408 and step S409 are created by the connected device list. Step S413 and step S414 are executed by the connection device selecting unit 8.

When the operator designates the selection of the starting program using the initial screen power keyboard of the personal computer 1, the axis number power counter i and the communication method counter j are initially set to 0 in step S401. Here, the maximum axis number is n and the maximum communication method is m. In step S402, 1 is added to i and j. In step S403, a connection request is made to the control device of the i-th axis number using the j-th communication method (first, the control device of the first axis number becomes the first communication method). In step S404, it is determined whether or not the connection can be established by the communication method requested in step S403, based on whether there is a response from the control device. If there is a response from the control device and the connection can be established, the process proceeds to step S405 to acquire model information from the control device. In step S406, the program existence information file The storage location of the connection information file for each program is acquired from the file 11, and the communication method and model information corresponding to the location program are acquired. In step S407, the communication method and model information of the control device connected in step S407 are compared with the communication information and model information of the program, and each program is checked until a match is found. decide.

In step S408, model information is registered in the connected device list, and a corresponding program is stored. If the connection cannot be established in step S404, the process proceeds to step S409. In step S409, 1 is added to the axis number counter.In step S410, it is determined whether or not the connection check of the control device has been completed for all axis numbers. If not, the process returns to step S403 and issues a connection request with the next axis number. . When the connection check of the control device has been completed for all the axis numbers, the axis number counter i is reset in step S411, and in step S412, it is checked whether the connection check of the control device has been completed in all the communication methods. If not, the flow returns to step S402 to check the connection for the next communication method. When the connection check of the control device is completed in all the communication systems, the process waits for the selection of the connection device from the operator in step S413. When the operator selects a control device to which the engineering tool is to be connected, the process proceeds to step S414, where a program of the engineering tool corresponding to the control device is selected and the program is started. In addition, it is also possible to set so that the start program of the engineering tool is selected by the initial of the engineering tool. In this case, when the engineering tool is started, it automatically checks the control device connected to the personal computer. This eliminates the need to select keyboard power.

As described above, the program of the connectable engineering tool corresponding to the control device is automatically determined, the program of the connectable engineering tool corresponding to the control device is automatically determined, A list of connected control devices is displayed, so even if the operator does not know the programs that can be connected to each control device, the display capability of the list is selected. Can start the target program simply by selecting it. Example 2

As Embodiment 2 of the present invention, details when a new program corresponding to a new model control device is added to an engineering tool will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram in which the engineering tool and the control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention are combined. In this drawing, the configuration other than the A program 19 and the A control device 20 of the engineering tool 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment in FIG.

In FIG. 6, the A-th control device 20 is a new type of control device that is newly added, and has an axis number 20a, a communication method 20b, and model information 20c. Program A 19 is a new program created for this new type of control device. When a worker adds a program for a new model controller, the location of the connection information file that stores the program name of the program, the path name that is the file location, the communication method, and the model information is stored in the program presence information file 11. Write.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for adding a program to an engineering tool according to the present invention.

In step S601, the operator uses the keys and the screen of the personal computer 1 to add the A program 19 for the A control device 20 to the application area of the engineering tool. In step S602, the worker writes the presence information of the A program 19 to the program presence information file 11.

In this way, when adding a new program for a new type of control device, it can be easily added without changing the existing software.

Industrial applicability

The present invention can also be applied to an engineering tool used in a plurality of control devices used in a robot, a numerical control device, and the like.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] An engineer that resides in a personal computer that is connected to one or more control devices by a communication line and that sets constants of the control device and monitors operation, etc., corresponding to a communication method unique to each control device. An engineering tool that includes a plurality of programs having a ring function and performs the engineering function by selecting and starting a program that can be started by the communication method of the one control device.

A communication method selection unit including a plurality of communication methods for attempting connection with the control device in order to obtain a communication method of the control device;

A connection device search unit that attempts to connect to the control device using the communication method selected from the communication method selection unit and acquires model information of the control device using the connected communication method;

A program existence information file which stores information on the location of the connection information file in which the program name of the program, the path name indicating the location of the file, the corresponding communication method, and the model information are stored;

A corresponding program determining unit that extracts information of the program presence information file and determines a program corresponding to the connected control device;

A connection device list creation unit that creates a connection device list that allows a worker to select a control device to connect the engineering tool based on the acquired model information;

An engineering tool, comprising: a connection device selection unit that selects and starts a program of the engineering tool corresponding to the control device selected by an operator.

[2] An engineer that resides in a personal computer that is connected to one or more control devices via a communication line and that sets the constants of the control device corresponding to a communication method unique to each control device and monitors operation. A plurality of programs having a ring function; a plurality of programs; a method of selecting a start program of an engineering tool for performing the engineering function by selecting and starting a program that can be started by the communication method of the one control device; In,

Making a connection request to the one control device by the one communication method; Determining whether connection is possible;

Acquiring the control device model information if the connection is possible;

A program presence information file which stores information on the location of the connection information file, in which the program name of the program, the path name indicating the location of the file, the corresponding communication method, and the model information are stored. Obtaining,

A step of comparing the communication method and model information of the control device with the communication information and model information of each program obtained from the program presence information file, and determining a corresponding program;

Registering information in the connected device list and storing a corresponding program; and repeating the determination as to whether or not connection is possible for all of the control devices connected by a communication line.

A step of repeating determination of whether connection is possible in all of the prepared communication methods, and a step of selecting and starting a program of the engineering tool corresponding to a control device selected by an operator, To select the startup program of the engineering tool to be used.

It resides in a personal computer connected to one or more control devices by a communication line, and performs engineering functions such as setting of constants of the control devices and monitoring of operations corresponding to communication methods unique to each control device. Compatible with new models of control devices as an engineering tool that performs the engineering function by selecting and starting a program that can be started by the communication method of the one control device. When adding a new program to be added,

Adding the new program to an application area;

The existence information of the new program is stored as program existence information for storing the program name of the program, a path name indicating the location of the file, the corresponding communication method, and the location of the connection information file storing the model information. Writing a new program.